SECONDARY NEWS
From the Assistant Principal

Miss Kim Bailey
kbailey@arm.catholic.edu.au

Congratulations

Congratulations to the Vinnies Executive for their organisation of the Sleepout last Friday. Thanks to Mrs McLachlan, Mrs Guest and Miss Majetic for their support and supervision.

Secondary Exams - Week 5

Students will be sitting assessments in many of their subjects next week. Classes have been given study guides and outlines of the material being assessed.

If a student is absent on a scheduled exam day, they will complete the missed exams at the first available opportunity. If known in advance, exams may be completed before the absence.

It is also important to note that exams are only one of the methods of assessment. The semester report will include a variety of formative and summative assessment tasks completed over the course of the semester.

To optimise performance, students need to be well-rested. They also need to ensure that they have the necessary equipment, for example, spare pens, a calculator and geometrical instruments for Mathematics and Science. Please advise staff of any issues regarding the completion of exams. It is the responsibility of students to make sure their devices are fully charged each day.

Exam timetables have been distributed to students and are also visible on Compass for all year groups and parents.

How Parents Can Support Their Students During Stressful Assessment Times

As assessment periods approach, students often face increased pressure, which can lead to significant stress. While some handle it with ease, others may find it overwhelming. One of the best ways to manage this pressure is through preparation. The earlier students start, the less likely they are to feel anxious as deadlines loom. As a parent, your role is crucial in helping them manage stress and maintain a balanced approach to studying. Here are some practical tips to support your student during this busy time:

1. Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle

A well-rounded lifestyle is key to achieving good results. Remind your student that a healthy body supports a healthy mind. Ensure they:

● Eat balanced meals: Provide nutritious snacks and meals to fuel their brain power.

● Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water can help them stay alert and focused.

● Get enough sleep: Sleep is vital to memory consolidation and overall performance. Encourage them to avoid sacrificing rest for late-night study sessions.

● Exercise regularly: Even a short walk or some stretching can relieve stress and help students focus better.

● Schedule relaxation: Encourage downtime to avoid burnout. Short breaks can recharge their mind and improve retention of information.

2. Offer Practical Support

Openly ask your student how you can help. Offer to:

● Assist with organising their study schedule, setting reminders, or preparing an exam timetable.

● Help source materials such as books, stationery, or online resources.

● Quiz them on topics they need to memorise. Some students find it easier to retain information by talking through their notes or practicing with a parent.

● Prepare nutritious lunches and snacks, allowing them to focus on studying without distractions.

● Encourage limited use of social media or gaming during study blocks to reduce distractions.

3. Focus on Effort, Not Just Results

It’s important to reassure your student that effort matters just as much (sometimes if not more) than results. Encourage them to:

● Take pride in the hard work they’re putting in, regardless of the final grade.

● Build resilience by learning from mistakes and overcoming challenges.

● Celebrate small successes along the way, fostering motivation and confidence. Avoid criticism and negativity.

● Remind them that academic performance is only one part of their life’s journey. There are many ways to achieve future success, and exams are just one stepping stone andone pathway.

4. Keep Communication Open

Be a consistent source of support by maintaining open lines of communication. Try:

● Having regular check-ins to discuss their progress, challenges, or concerns.

● Creating a relaxed environment for these conversations—sometimes casual chats during car rides or while having dinner are more effective than formal sit-downs.

● Being patient if they express frustration or anger. Acknowledge their feelings and offer a listening ear. If you notice that stress is affecting their well-being, encourage them to seek help from a school counsellor, teacher, or other professional resources.

5. Help Manage Worries and Stress

If your student feels overwhelmed, guide them through problem-solving:

● Allow them to express their concerns fully before suggesting solutions.

● Encourage them to identify specific worries and work through ways to manage them—whether it's time management, understanding a subject, or handling test anxiety.

● Explore available resources, such as speaking with teachers, seeking academic support, or accessing online tutorials.

● Ask them how you can help—sometimes your presence and understanding are the most valuable support you can provide.

Final Thoughts

Exams and assessments can be stressful for students, but with the right support, they can navigate these challenges successfully. By fostering a balanced approach that includes both academic preparation and emotional well-being, you can help your student develop resilience and the skills needed to thrive under pressure. Remember, your encouragement, support, and understanding will make a lasting impact.

ADF Visit – Year 10

Interested Year 10 students will have the opportunity to have a Careers Information Session with ADF team members. They will be able to speak with current serving ADF team members about their own education experiences. The visit will give potential job seekers a unique insight into the many roles and career pathways offered within the Australian Defence Force.

Sun Safe

The weather has been slowly heating up, and students are reminded to have a hat for all outside activities. Sunscreen is also available for Sport, PDHPE, and other outside lessons.

MAKE GREAT STUDY NOTES

With exam time approaching, it is time to seriously think about making study notes –especially if you haven’t been doing them regularly throughout the year. Find out what topics will be tested, make a quick mind map of each topic so you can see an overview of what you need to learn, and then start making point-form notes about what you need to learn and remember for the exam. You want to make your study notes as soon as possible so you have ample time to learn them and to do lots of practice questions.

Top 5 Tips to Improve Your Notes:

1. POINTS: Avoid long sentences and condense content into key points.

2. TABLES: Use tables wherever you can to create structure and make the content easier to learn.

3. KEYWORDS: Pull out keywords and capitalise them (as shown in this list).

4. HIGHLIGHT: Make sure the main content stands out (but don’t go crazy with colour).

5. FEEDBACK: Show your notes to teachers, parents and friends so they can suggest ways to improve them.

Last Minute Study

What do you do if you have left your study until the lastminute?

In an ideal world, it would be great if all students paid attention, focused and participated in all classes, completed all homework and assessments thoroughly, asked for help throughout the year on anything they didn’t understand, made regular summaries of the work covered in class (preferably at the end of each topic or section) and did their best to learn as they go throughout the year. But in reality, this doesn’t always happen for every student and every subject. So what can you do if you have left your study for tests and exams to the last minute?

5 TIPS FOR LAST-MINUTE STUDY

1. FIND OUT FAST: Be very clear about what you need to learn and what will be tested. It is impossible to start your study until you are sure what you have to know. Find out as much as you can too about the exam format and the style of questions. Don’t be afraid to ask your teacher. For each subject, write a list of exactly what topics and areas you need to review.

2. GATHER MATERIALS: Do you have notes, materials, and textbooks on everything you need to learn? If not, is there a friend who will let you photocopy the work you have misplaced? Is there an online portal where material from classes is stored? Can you borrow additional books or textbooks from the library on the topics you need to learn? Are past examination papers available?

3. MAKE A PLAN: You only have limited time left, so you need to make the most of it. Draw up a grid that shows how much time you have left before your exams to study. Decide if you will spend equal time on each subject or if certain subjects need more time. Allocate subjects to the timeslots you have, then decide exactly what you will do to prepare for each subject. For each subject, make a list of what sort of study you should do to prepare for that subject. Brainstorm your ideas on how to prepare,ask your parents and teachers for feedback and share ideas with your friends.

4. CREATE STUDY NOTES: Target your notes to what will be tested. It is best for learning and memory to make your study notes yourself, but if you have run out of time, there are options. See if any of your class materials or textbooks have summarised the sections you need. See if there are study guides available in the library on the topics to learn or make targeted notes on the key areas you must memorise. You could also see if there is a friend with whom you could split the topics between yourself and share the notes you make. Don’t spend too long on this stage; it needs to be completed as quickly as possible.

5. STUDY! What does study actually mean? It means memorising the material you need to know so you can recall it in the exams and practising the skills of the subject so you know how to do the types of questions you will have in the exam. To memorise your notes, you need to test yourself over and over on them. You could read a section, see what you can write down without looking then check. Then review the things you didn’t know again. Or you could do the same approach by reading things out loud and then seeing what you can repeat out loud. Doing questions, practise essays, and past exam questions will also help you understand what you know and what you need to spend more time on.

The key is to get started. No more procrastination, no more excuses.

Start today!

What do you do in the few days before an examination?

At least a few days before the exam, make sure you do the following:

● Plan out how much time you should spend on each section of the test.

● By looking at past papers, get a feel for the types of instructions that will be on your paper.

● Do some exercise so you can burn off the pent-up stress that can come before exams.

● Look after your body – lots of water to juice up your brain, healthy food, and decent sleep.

● To calm your nerves, make mental pictures of yourself sitting down and doing well inthe test.

● Purchase any equipment you may need, extra calculator batteries, pens, rulers etc.

● Ensure you know what equipment is allowed in the test or exam.

● Focus on reviewing the key points, perhaps a condensed version of your summaries.

● Practise as many past test papers as you can get your hands on.

● Check the timetable to ensure you have a clear picture of when each exam is being held. The night before the test or exam:

● Pack your bag with everything you will need for the next day, ensuring you have all the necessary equipment.

● Plan what time you need to leave to ensure you have plenty of time for unexpected delays.

● Don’t go to bed too late – you need to make sure your brain is fresh and alert.

● Don’t ring friends and discuss your preparation or the examination.

● Just before you go to sleep, look through your notes briefly.

● If you have a number of exams, check the timetable to doubly confirm the exams date, time and location.

The morning of the test or exam:

● Visualise success. Before you get out of bed, close your eyes and picture yourself going into the exam, doing well and coming out pleased with your efforts.

● Review your notes. You are not doing intense study at this stage; just looking through and reminding yourself of the main things you want to remember.

● Eat breakfast. Your brain needs fuel, so eat a hearty breakfast so you can focus and concentrate in the exam.

● Be on time. Make sure you leave enough time for contingencies so you won’t be late.

● Avoid negativity. Don’t stand around in the group discussing what you did and didn’t study.

Device Policy

Students are not permitted to use their devices unless instructed by a teacher. This includes both the classroom and the playground. The students are aware of this policy and receive constant reminders in Pastoral Care and their teaching classes. There are also many posters displayed all around the school.

If a student needs to use their device, they must first seek permission from a teacher and use it in an area designated by the teacher. This is usually under their direct supervision or outside the Secondary staffroom.

If students cannot follow this policy, their phones are confiscated and placed securely in Miss Bailey's office, where they are collected by the student at the end of the school day.

Teachers record each time a device is confiscated. After it is confiscated for a second time, it remains at school until it can be collected by a parent or carer.

Making Contact with Teachers in the Secondary

If you have any questions or concerns about your child's learning or wellbeing, please contact Miss Bailey, your child's Pastoral Care teacher or their subject teacher. We are only too happy to assist.